Rotary dough cutter and method of operation

ABSTRACT

A plurality of dough pieces are produced using a rotary dough cutter including a shaft, a plurality of walls extending radially outward from the shaft and a plurality of interior blades extending radially outward from the shaft. The plurality of walls define a plurality of dough cutter molds. The plurality of dough cutter molds include a first dough cutter mold and a second dough cutter mold. A first wall of the plurality of walls defines part of both the first dough cutter mold and the second dough cutter mold. Each of the plurality of interior blades is located in one of the plurality of dough cutter molds. The plurality of dough pieces are cut from a dough sheet with the plurality of walls. The plurality of dough pieces are scored with the plurality of interior blades. After scoring, the plurality of dough pieces are proofed and then frozen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the art of food production and, moreparticularly, to the production of bread products.

Bakery operators sometimes purchase partially finished food productsthat are then finished in the bakery before being sold to consumers. Forexample, bakery operators can purchase frozen bread dough, which theythaw, proof and bake prior to sale. Depending on the desired breadproduct, the bread dough may be scored after proofing and before baking.Generally, it is preferred that the amount of time and labor required tofinish such partially finished food products is kept to a minimum.Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide bread dough that is scoredbefore purchase by bakery operators, e.g., prior to being frozen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention achieves the above goal by providing machinery configuredto automatically score dough pieces during formation of the dough piecesfrom a dough sheet. Specifically, a rotary dough cutter comprises ashaft, a plurality of walls extending radially outward from the shaftand a plurality of interior blades extending radially outward from theshaft. The plurality of walls defines a plurality of dough cutter molds.The plurality of dough cutter molds includes a first dough cutter moldand a second dough cutter mold. A first wall of the plurality of wallsdefines part of both the first dough cutter mold and the second doughcutter mold. Each of the plurality of interior blades is located in oneof the plurality of dough cutter molds. The dough pieces are cut fromthe dough sheet with the plurality of walls, and the dough pieces arescored with the plurality of interior blades. After scoring, the doughpieces are proofed and then frozen.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomemore readily apparent from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments thereof when taken in conjunction with thedrawings wherein like reference numerals refer to common parts in theseveral views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a production line forproducing dough pieces in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a rotary dough cutter constructed in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the rotary dough cutter.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dough cutter mold of the rotary doughcutter.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the dough cutter mold.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the dough cutter mold.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the dough cutter mold.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dough piece formed using the rotarydough cutter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rotary dough cutter constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dough piece formed using the rotarydough cutter of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein.However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various andalternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ thepresent invention. Additionally, as used in connection with the presentinvention, terms such as “parallel” and “perpendicular” do notnecessarily require, for example, that the relevant items be perfectlyparallel. Instead, these terms include a margin of error of +/−5°(regardless of whether the error is by design or due to inherentmanufacturing limitations) so long as the error does not prevent thepresent invention from functioning as intended.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of aproduction line for producing dough pieces in accordance with thepresent invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a dough sheet 100 beingtransported in a direction 105 by a conveyor system 110. In theembodiment illustrated, conveyor system 110 includes a conveyor belt 115on which dough sheet 100 is supported. However, other conveyor systemsknown in the art can be used with the present invention. Although notshown, it should be understood that the dough of dough sheet 100 ispreferably formed in a batch maker or the like and then processed intodough sheet 100.

Dough sheet 100 passes beneath a rotary dough cutter 120, which isconfigured to repeatedly cut dough pieces from dough sheet 100 as doughsheet 100 is transported in direction 105. For example, FIG. 1 shows aplurality of dough pieces 125. Rotary dough cutter 120 is supportedabove dough sheet 100 on a driveshaft 130, with rotary dough cutter 120and driveshaft 130 being aligned perpendicular to direction 105. Rotarydough cutter 120 is configured such that contact between rotary doughcutter 120 and dough sheet 100 or conveyor belt 115 causes rotary doughcutter 120 to rotate in a direction 135 as dough sheet 100 and conveyorbelt 115 travel in direction 105. Alternatively, a motor andtransmission (not shown) can be provided for driving rotary dough cutter120 to rotate in direction 135.

Side plates 140 and 141 are located at opposite ends of rotary doughcutter 120. Each of side plates 140 and 141 includes a notch 145configured to receive a pivot shaft 150, which extends parallel todriveshaft 130. Pivot shaft 150 is configured such that rotary doughcutter 120 and driveshaft 130 can pivot relative to pivot shaft 150 andthereby lift rotary dough cutter 120 up off of dough sheet 100 whendesired, e.g., at the end of a production cycle.

An air supply hose 155 is provided for supplying air from an air source,such as an air compressor (not shown). Air that enters rotary doughcutter 120 through air supply hose 155 is used to discharge dough pieces125 from rotary dough cutter 120 after formation of dough pieces 125from dough sheet 100. An air regulator 160 is interposed between airsupply hose 155 and the air source for regulating airflow.

FIG. 2 shows rotary dough cutter 120 separate from dough sheet 100 andconveyor system 110 but with driveshaft 130, side plates 140 and 141,pivot shaft 150 and air supply hose 155 still present. Rotary doughcutter 120 includes a cylindrical shaft 200. A plurality of walls 205extends radially outward from shaft 200. Walls 205 define a plurality ofdough cutter molds 210. In other words, walls 205 can be considered tobe the exterior walls or sidewalls of dough cutter molds 210. Becausethere is no negative space provided between the majority of dough cuttermolds 210, a given portion of one of walls 205 can define part of morethan one dough cutter mold 210. For example, a portion 215 defines partof two different dough cutter molds 210.

Walls 205 act as blades and are configured to cut dough pieces 125 fromdough sheet 100, with one dough piece 125 being received in and shapedby each dough cutter mold 210. Accordingly, in operation, walls 205extend all the way through dough sheet 100 to lightly engage conveyorbelt 115.

The minimization of negative space between dough cutter molds 210reduces the amount of dough sheet 100 that is wasted during formation ofdough pieces 125, i.e., the amount of dough sheet 100 that does not endup as one of dough pieces 125. This minimization is accomplished byusing a tessellated pattern of dough cutter molds 210. That is, shaft200 is covered with dough cutter molds 210 by repeated use of a singleshape, without gaps or overlapping (other than at the ends of shaft200).

In addition to walls 205, a plurality of interior blades 220 extendsradially outward from shaft 200. Interior blades 220 are located withindough cutter molds 210 and are configured to score dough pieces 125 asdough pieces 125 are formed. In other words, interior blades 220 areconfigured to cut into but not all the way through dough sheet 100.While only one interior blade 220 is shown in each dough cutter mold210, it should be understood that dough cutter molds 210 can includemultiple interior blades 220 if desired.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of rotary dough cutter 120 taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2. This view highlights how walls 205 and interior blades220 extend radially outward from an exterior 300 of shaft 200. Inaddition, rotary dough cutter 120 includes a central hole 305 extendinglongitudinally through shaft 200. Driveshaft 130 extends through centralhole 305 to mount rotary dough cutter 120 to driveshaft 130. Rotarydough cutter 120 also includes a plurality of air passages 310 extendinglongitudinally through shaft 200. A plurality of air outlets 315 extendsradially from air passages 310 to dough cutter molds 210. Air passages310 receive air from air supply hose 155, with the air then travelingthrough air outlets 315 to dough cutter molds 210. As stated above, theair is used to help discharge dough pieces 125 from dough cutter molds210. Air passages 310 receive air selectively so that dough pieces 125are discharged only from the desired dough cutter molds 210 at apredetermined moment, with air passages 310 being selected based on therotational position of rotary dough cutter 120.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective and top views, respectively, of one ofdough cutter molds 210. For ease of discussion, dough cutter mold 210 isshown separate from the other dough cutter molds 210 of rotary doughcutter 120. However, in the embodiment illustrated, dough cutter molds210 are all formed integrally with one another and with shaft 200.Accordingly, it should be understood that dough cutter molds 210 are notreadily separable in the manner illustrated. Of course, in otherembodiments, dough cutter molds 210 can be formed as separate piecesthat are removably connected to shaft 200, for example.

Regardless, FIGS. 4 and 5 show how walls 205 and shaft 200 define aninterior 400 of dough cutter mold 210. In operation, rotation of rotarydough cutter 120 results in interior 400 receiving one of dough pieces125, with walls 205 cutting dough piece 125 from dough sheet 100 andshaping dough piece 125. Interior blade 220 is located within interior400 and scores any dough piece 125 received in interior 400. After someadditional rotation of rotary dough cutter 120, the dough piece 125located in interior 400 is discharged from interior 400 by forcing airthrough air outlets 315. Eventually, further rotation results in anotherdough piece 125 being received in interior 400. This cycle repeatscontinuously so long as dough sheet 100 is present and rotary doughcutter 120 is rotating.

Dough cutter mold 210 has a first end 405 and a second end 406 spacedlongitudinally from one another. Interior blade 220 generally extendslengthwise of dough cutter mold 210 between first end 405 and second end406. Therefore, interior blade 220 is cantilevered from shaft 200. Inthe embodiment shown, interior blade 220 is actually offset or angledrelative to the longitudinal axis of dough cutter mold 210. However,interior blade 220 can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of doughcutter mold 210.

Dough cutter mold 210 generally defines a twelve-sided shape, withtwelve corresponding walls 205. For ease of discussion, these walls 205are labeled 205 a-1. Certain of walls 205 a-1 are parallel to oneanother. Specifically, these parallel sets of walls 205 include: walls205 a and 205 g; walls 205 b and 205 h; walls 205 c, 205 e, 205 i and205 k; walls 205 d and 205 j; and walls 205 f and 205 l. Walls 205 b and205 f are located opposite one another across the longitudinal axis ofdough cutter mold 210 and are angled in opposite directions from thelongitudinal axis. Similarly, walls 205 h and 205 l are located oppositeone another across the longitudinal axis of dough cutter mold 210 andare angled in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis. Interiorblade 220 is spaced from walls 205, with one end of interior blade 220being located nearer to wall 205 l than wall 205 h and the other endbeing located near to wall 205 f than wall 205 b.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it should be recognized, based onFIGS. 1 and 2 as well as the discussion above, that additional doughcutter molds 210 are provided on rotary dough cutter 120 immediatelyadjacent to the specific dough cutter mold 210 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,with walls 205 a-1 also defining part of these additional dough cuttermolds 210. In particular, wall 205 a defines part of two additionaldough cutter molds 210, i.e., wall 205 a defines part of three doughcutter molds 210 in total. Wall 205 g also defines part of twoadditional dough cutter molds 210. Each of walls 205 b, 205 f, 205 h and205 l defines part of one additional dough cutter mold 210. Each of theportions of walls 205 c, 205 e, 205 i and 205 k shown in FIGS. 4 and 5defines part of one additional dough cutter mold 210. However, walls 205c, 205 e, 205 i and 205 k actually extend further when a plurality ofdough cutter molds 210 are provided such that, like walls 205 a and 205g, each of walls 205 c, 205 e, 205 i and 205 k defines part of twoadditional dough cutter molds 210. Each of walls 205 d and 205 j definespart of one additional dough cutter mold 210.

Three air outlets 315 are shown in dough cutter mold 210. Specifically,these air outlets 315 are located near first end 405, second end 406 andwall 205 a. However, it should be recognized that air outlets 315 can belocated elsewhere. Also, different numbers of air outlets 315 can beprovided depending on factors such as the size of air outlets 315 andthe composition of dough sheet 100. In fact, air outlets 315 can beomitted in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of dough cutter mold 210 taken along line 6-6of FIG. 5, while FIG. 7 is a side view of dough cutter mold 210. Theseviews help show that interior blade 220 is shorter than walls 205, i.e.,interior blade 220 extends a lesser distance from exterior 300 of shaft200. Accordingly, interior blade 220 scores dough pieces 125 rather thancutting all the way through dough pieces 125.

FIG. 8 shows one of dough pieces 125 after it has been discharged fromrotary dough cutter 120. The shape of dough piece 125 generally matchesthe shape of dough cutter mold 210. Dough piece 125 has a sidewall 800and an upper surface 805. A slit 810 is formed in upper surface 805,generally extending along the longitudinal axis of dough piece 125. Theshape of dough piece 125 is determined by walls 205, and slit 810 iscreated by one of interior blades 220. After formation of dough piece125 in rotary dough cutter 120, dough piece 125 is preferably proofedand then frozen. Once frozen, dough piece 125 can be transported to abakery operator, for example, who thaws, bakes, and sells the resultingbread product. In the embodiment illustrated, dough piece 125 is in theform of a bolillo. However, it should be recognized that other breadproducts can be produced in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rotary dough cutter 900 constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Rotarydough cutter 900 includes a cylindrical shaft 905. A plurality of walls910 extends radially outward from shaft 905. Walls 910 define aplurality of dough cutter molds 915. In other words, walls 910 can beconsidered to be the exterior walls or sidewalls of dough cutter molds915. Walls 910 act as blades (either sharp or blunt edge blades) and areconfigured to cut dough pieces from a dough sheet (not shown), with onedough piece being received in and shaped by each dough cutter mold 915.Because there is no negative space provided between the majority ofdough cutter molds 915, a given portion of one of walls 910 can definepart of more than one dough cutter mold 915. This minimization ofnegative space is accomplished by using a tessellated pattern of doughcutter molds 915.

In addition to walls 910, a plurality of interior blades 920 extendsradially outward from shaft 905. Interior blades 920 are located withindough cutter molds 915 and are configured to score dough pieces as thedough pieces are formed from a dough sheet. In other words, interiorblades 920 are configured to cut into but not all the way through thedough sheet. While two interior blades 920 are shown in each doughcutter mold 915, it should be understood that dough cutter molds 915 caninclude more or fewer interior blades 920 if desired. Like interiorblades 220, interior blades 920 are shown straight and extend acrossdough cutter molds 915. Unlike interior blades 220, interior blades 920are shown to extend all the way across dough cutter molds 915, i.e.,interior blades 920 are not spaced from walls 910 but instead areintegrated with and contact walls 910. Of course, it should beunderstood that interior blades 920 could extend partially across walls910 in a manner similar to interior blades 220 so as to be cantilevered.In any case, interior blades 220 and 920, as well as dough cutter molds210 and 915, can take different forms depending upon the application.

Rotary dough cutter 900 also includes a central hole 925 extendinglongitudinally through shaft 905. Driveshaft 130 extends through centralhole 925 to mount rotary dough cutter 900 to driveshaft 130. Althoughnot shown, like rotary dough cutter 120, rotary dough cutter 900 canfurther include a plurality of air passages extending longitudinallythrough shaft 905, with a plurality of air outlets extending radiallyfrom the air passages to dough cutter molds 915. Air from air supplyhose 155 travels through the air passages and air outlets to doughcutter molds 915 to help discharge dough pieces from dough cutter molds915.

FIG. 10 shows a dough piece 1000 after it has been discharged fromrotary dough cutter 900. The shape of dough piece 1000 generally matchesthe shape of dough cutter mold 915. Dough piece 1000 has a base 1005, asidewall 1010 and an upper surface 1015. Slits 1020 are formed in uppersurface 1015 and extend all the way across upper surface 1015. The shapeof dough piece 1000 is determined by walls 910, and slits 1020 arecreated by interior blades 920. After formation of dough piece 1000 inrotary dough cutter 900, dough piece 1000 is preferably proofed and thenfrozen. In the embodiment illustrated, dough piece 1000 is in the formof a hard roll. However, it should be recognized that other breadproducts can be produced in accordance with the present invention.

Based on the above, it should be readily apparent that the presentinvention provides dough products that are scored prior to being proofedand frozen (i.e., before being purchased by bakery operators), as wellas an apparatus and method for producing the dough products. Whilecertain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been setforth, it should be understood that various changes or modificationscould be made without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited bythe scope of the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rotary dough cutter comprising: a shaft;a plurality of walls extending radially outward from the shaft, whereinthe plurality of walls are configured to cut a plurality of dough piecesfrom a dough sheet, the plurality of walls define a plurality of doughcutter molds, the plurality of dough cutter molds include a first doughcutter mold and a second dough cutter mold, and a first wall of theplurality of walls defines part of both the first dough cutter mold andthe second dough cutter mold; and a plurality of interior bladesextending radially outward from the shaft, wherein the plurality ofinterior blades are configured to score the plurality of dough pieces,and each one of the plurality of interior blades is located in only oneof the plurality of dough cutter molds wherein each of the plurality ofinterior blades, in height is shorter than a height of each of theplurality of the walls, extends lengthwise of each of the plurality ofthe dough cutter molds, is spaced from each of the plurality of thewalls and cantilevered from the shaft.
 2. The rotary dough cutter ofclaim 1, wherein a second wall of the plurality of walls defines part ofboth the first dough cutter mold and the second dough cutter mold. 3.The rotary dough cutter of claim 2, wherein a third wall of theplurality of walls defines part of both the first dough cutter mold andthe second dough cutter mold.
 4. The rotary dough cutter of claim 1,wherein the plurality of dough cutter molds include a third dough cuttermold, and a fourth wall of the plurality of walls defines part of boththe first dough cutter mold and the third dough cutter mold.
 5. Therotary dough cutter of claim 4, wherein the first wall is parallel tothe fourth wall.
 6. The rotary dough cutter of claim 1, wherein theplurality of dough cutter molds include a third dough cutter mold, andthe first wall defines part of the third dough cutter mold.
 7. Therotary dough cutter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dough cuttermolds are arranged in a tessellated pattern.
 8. The rotary dough cutterof claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of dough cutter molds isdefined by at least six walls of the plurality of walls.
 9. The rotarydough cutter of claim 1, wherein the first dough cutter mold has a firstend and a second end spaced longitudinally from one another, and aninterior blade of the plurality of interior blades extends in alongitudinal direction of the first dough cutter mold between the firstend and the second end.
 10. The rotary dough cutter of claim 9, whereinthe interior blade is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of thefirst dough cutter mold.
 11. A method of producing a plurality of doughpieces using a rotary dough cutter including a shaft, a plurality ofwalls extending radially outward from the shaft and a plurality ofinterior blades extending radially outward from the shaft, wherein theplurality of walls define a plurality of dough cutter molds, theplurality of dough cutter molds include a first dough cutter mold and asecond dough cutter mold, a first wall of the plurality of walls definespart of both the first dough cutter mold and the second dough cuttermold, and each one of the plurality of interior blades is located inonly one of the plurality of dough cutter molds, wherein each of theplurality of interior blades, in height is shorter than a height of eachof the plurality of the walls, extends lengthwise of each of theplurality of the dough cutter molds, is spaced from each of theplurality of the walls and cantilevered from the shaft the methodcomprising: cutting the plurality of dough pieces from a dough sheetwith the plurality of walls; and scoring the plurality of dough pieceswith the plurality of interior blades upon cutting the plurality ofdough pieces from the dough sheet.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising proofing the plurality of dough pieces after scoring theplurality of dough pieces.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising freezing the plurality of dough pieces after proofing theplurality of dough pieces.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein a secondwall of the plurality of walls defines part of both the first doughcutter mold and the second dough cutter mold, and cutting the pluralityof dough pieces from the dough sheet includes cutting the dough sheetwith the second wall.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein a third wallof the plurality of walls defines part of both the first dough cuttermold and the second dough cutter mold, and cutting the plurality ofdough pieces from the dough sheet includes cutting the dough sheet withthe third wall.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofdough cutter molds include a third dough cutter mold, a fourth wall ofthe plurality of walls defines part of both the first dough cutter moldand the third dough cutter mold, and cutting the plurality of doughpieces from the dough sheet includes cutting the dough sheet with thefourth wall.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of doughcutter molds include a third dough cutter mold, the first wall definespart of the third dough cutter mold, and cutting the plurality of doughpieces from the dough sheet includes cutting the dough sheet with thefirst wall.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of doughcutter molds are arranged in a tessellated pattern, and cutting theplurality of dough pieces from the dough sheet includes cutting thedough sheet such that the plurality of dough pieces is arranged in atessellated pattern.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the first doughcutter mold has a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally fromone another, an interior blade of the plurality of interior bladesextends in a longitudinal direction of the first dough cutter moldbetween the first end and the second end, and scoring the plurality ofdough pieces includes scoring the plurality of dough pieces with theinterior blade.